The rift between Taxi centers and the Transport Ministry has once again been ignited over the taxi fares amidst the rising fuel prices.
Taxi centers announced today that they would raise taxi centers after giving notice to the government. The decision was made at a meeting among taxi center owners regarding taxi fares in Male’ City. All 14 taxi center owners who attended the meeting agreed to raise prices.
The taxi fares will be raised effective from March 10, even if the government does not approve the new fares. According to the taxi centers, the recent hike in diesel and petrol prices is causing losses to taxi drivers and taxi centers at their current rates.
Taxi centers have put forward the following fares effective from March 10th;
- Rides within Male’ City: MVR 30
- Rides within Hulhumale’ Phase II: MVR 25
- Rides within Hulhumale’ Phase I: MVR 25
- Rides between Hulhumale’ Phase I and Phase II: MVR 40
- Rides between Hulhumale’ Phase II and Male’: MVR 120
- Rides between Hulhumale’ Phase I and Male’: MVR 100
- Rides between Hulhule Airport and Male’: MVR 80
- Rides between Hulhule Airport and Hulhumale’: MVR 80
- Rides between Hulhule Airport Seaplane Terminal and Male’: MVR 100
- Rides between Hulhule Airport Seaplane Terminal and Hulhumale’ Phase I: MVR 100
- Rides between Hulhule Airport Seaplane Terminal and Hulhumale’ Phase II: MVR 120
An extra charge of MVR 5 will be applicable for rides after 00:00 HRS.
However, the Transport Ministry warned that increasing the taxi fares without the government’s approval would set a dangerous precedent and legal action will be taken against those who do not adhere to the current fares set by the Transport Ministry.
First time offenders will be fined MVR 500 and MVR 1000 for second time offenders. Moreover, if the individual fails to oblige still, their license will be revoked, warned the Transport Ministry.
